Southern California is home to many of the nation’s most dog friendly cities. And you know what these awesome cities have in common? Gorgeous dog-friendly beaches that are ready to welcome you and your pooch to splash around town (and, just maybe paint the town red)! With designated on-leash and off-leash areas, you’re bound to find exactly what you and your dog are in the mood for on any given day in Southern California. Grab the leash, pack the treats and frisbee, and pick a spot—the best dog-friendly beaches in Southern California are only a short drive away.

Dog-Friendly Beaches in San Diego

Ocean Beach Dog Beach

Location: West Point Loma Boulevard and Voltaire Street, San Diego

Amenities: Bike path, restrooms

Also known as The Original Dog Beach, "the happiest place in San Diego" is a beautiful beach with a designated off-leash area to let your dog roam free. As one of the oldest and most reputable dog-friendly beaches in Southern California, this spacious sandy shore is an exemplary place to spend a day under the sun with your pups. 

If you’re going to venture out of the designated off-leash area, walk to the pier where leashed dogs are welcome to stroll with their human friends. And, to take a break from the coast, follow the trail beginning at the entrance of this dog-friendly beach in San Diego or follow the pathway to the dog-friendly Hotel Circle San Diego (and, maybe select the next adventure’s snoozin’ spot), which caters to both joggers and cyclists as well.

Coronado Dog Run Beach

Location: Ocean Boulevard and Ocean Drive, Coronado

Amenities: Grass park, kids play area, restrooms, showers

If Ocean Beach is a little too crowded for you and your pup, then your ideal dog-friendly beach in San Diego might be the Coronado Dog Run Beach. The northern end of Coronado Beach is the area’s only off-leash location and is definitely much quieter than the Original Dog Beach. 

Popular among local dog owners and walkers, this locale along the stunning shores of Coronado is ideal for relaxing in the sun while your fur baby runs wild. If you stick around for the sunset, the spectacular views of Point Loma and Hotel Del Coronado will make your trip to this dog-friendly beach in Southern California all the more worthwhile.

Dog-Friendly Beaches in Los Angeles

Rosie’s Dog Beach 

Location: 5000 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach

Amenities: Restrooms, showers, lifeguard, bike path

The most popular off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles is definitely Rosie’s Dog Beach. A slice of paradise for doggos and owners alike, this is almost always full of happy pups and people having the time of their lives.

Find Rosie’s Dog Beach just off of Ocean Boulevard in the charming town of Long Beach, and run around with your dog, splashing in the shallow waters. You’ll also find all the essential amenities you might need at this beach to keep everything in order throughout the day, such as trash cans, poop scoops, and restrooms.

Leo Carrillo State Park - North Beach

Location: 35000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

Amenities: Campground, lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, caves, accessible features

Sitting pretty along the Malibu Coast, the North Beach at Leo Carillo is a top destination for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, and beachcombing with your pooch. Think this dog-friendly beach in Southern California looks familiar? Well, the 1.5-mile strip of coastline in Malibu has made its fair share of appearances in Hollywood flicks and blockbusters like Inception. 

If you’d like to explore further from this Malibu dog beach, there are also many other dog-friendly areas in and around Leo Carrillo State Park. Further down in South Beach, you’ll find a cavernous, rocky area with tide pools you and your dog can check out. But, for a bit more seclusion you can also head to Staircase Beach, which is a less sort of a hidden gem in California’s dog-friendly beaches.

Dog Beaches in Ventura

Harbor Cove Beach

Location: 1950 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura

Amenities: Restrooms, showers, lifeguards

Harbor Cove Beach is one of the best Ventura dog beaches and it’s located at the very end of the peninsula in front of the harbor. While most of the other beaches here are dangerous to swim in because of strong rip currents, Harbor Cove is protected by jetties and a breakwater that make conditions optimal for taking a cool dip in the ocean waters. In fact, it’s so safe that most locals refer to it as “Mother’s Beach.” Therefore, as long as you keep your doggo on a leash at this dog-friendly beach in Southern California, you’re bound to have an amazing time basking in the sun.

Dog-Friendly Beaches in Orange County

Huntington Dog Beach

Location: East Pacific Coast Highway and Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach

Amenities: Grass park, restrooms, showers, picnic tables

Orange County is another hotspot for people looking to go out with their dogs. For a leash-free experience, take fido out to Huntington Dog Beach. This dog beach in Orange County allows dogs to roam and swim freely between Seapoint Street and 21st Street.

You might see signs in and around here indicating that the city has a six-foot leash requirement. However, this rule is generally not enforced for dogs that are well-behaved and socialized. So, if your dog plays well with others, you won’t have to worry about the leash requirement at this dog-friendly beach in Southern California. Either way, we recommend packing a leash just to be safe.

Corona Del Mar State Beach

Location: Ocean Boulevard and Jasmine Avenue, Newport Beach

Amenities: Lifeguards, restrooms, showers, barbecues, picnic tables, volleyball courts, fire pits

While Corona Del Mar State Beach is an absolutely delightful stretch of sand to check out with your pooch, it does have a few basic rules you need to follow. The most important guideline when visiting this dog-friendly beach in Southern California is to do it before 10. a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. and on a leash. 

You don’t need to worry about the time limit because your dog will be better off not running around on the sand during the hottest hours of the day anyway. Plus, sticking around for sunset or visiting at sunrise will make this dog-friendly beach in Southern California way less crowded and significantly more beautiful.